Bill > H225

This bill establishes a dedicated fund called the Invasive Aquatic Plant Management Fund to combat invasive aquatic plants in the Commonwealth's lakes and ponds. This fund will be financed by a portion of fees collected from boat registrations and a new ten-dollar fee for out-of-state motorboats entering Massachusetts lakes and ponds. The Department of Environmental Protection will then use this fund to create and administer a grant program. This program will provide financial assistance to eligible entities, such as lake associations, towns, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and educational institutions, to implement programs aimed at preventing and managing invasive aquatic plants. The department will develop a comprehensive management plan for this grant program, outlining criteria for eligibility, application procedures, project selection, and reporting requirements for grant recipients.